Five Meaningful Ways to Support Local Food Producers in 2023
Consider committing to resolutions that will strengthen our communities and build a stronger local food system. Local food is an investment in the future. By supporting local farmers today, you are helping to ensure that there will be farms in our community tomorrow.
We’ve gathered some practical and meaningful ways for you to support local farmers and food producers.
1. Join the Local Food Movement!
An excellent first step in supporting our local food community is learning about the farmers and growers in your area and the challenges they face. Our small to midsize farmers and ranchers put in the time and effort of growing and raising our food from start to finish, and it's important we show them how much we value their efforts in providing us with accessible, healthy, and locally grown food.
Read books to learn more about agriculture and local food systems, and why it matters to support local. Also seek out podcasts that dive into agriculture conversations and food resiliency topics.
Join the Coalition for Farmland Preservation to learn more about challenges that local producers face, but also the amazing work being done to support them. By joining, you will receive the quarterly newsletter filled with ways to become more informed on and involved with agricultural issues.
2. Lend A Hand
Grab your friends and take a field trip to a local farm! There are many urban farms and community gardens in your area that rely on volunteers to help out. Find these farms using the button below and give them a follow on social media to be informed of when they need volunteers. Get your hands in the dirt, reconnect with nature, and get to know those who our growing/producing food in your community.
Make it a family affair! Bring the little ones along so they can see how food is grown. Educating the young on how food gets from the farm to the table is an important part of keeping farms and farmers going strong into the future. Introducing children to farming, nature, and gardening at a young age can help plant the seed for tomorrow.
3. Shift How You Shop (And Inspire Others)
A lot of us grew up thinking that supermarkets were the only place to purchase food and never considered going to a farmers market or a farm directly for our local meat or produce. You can help spread the word to your friends and family who may have never considered shopping locally and how important and delicious it really is!
Have conversations with them about what is at stake if we don’t support our local food community, share articles and stories that advocate for local food systems to help educate your friends and followers on local solutions, and encourage how even the smallest shift toward shopping local impacts our local food community.
Invite family and friends to join you on a stroll through a farmers market or host a dinner party that features local goodies, so they can taste the difference.
A simple and impactful way of spreading the local word is by following local food entrepreneurs, farmers, and food businesses on social media and sharing their pages with your network. Follow Good Food Finder on our social media channels to stay up to date with the newest food businesses, local food news, and educational resources.
4. Be an advocate
Staying educated on local issues is one of the best ways you can advocate for your community. Check out the Good Food Finder’s blog, where we highlight local food news such as local farm spotlights and farming practices, as well as local gems from Arizona’s food scene.
Another great way to be a part of community advocacy is by understanding the issues that the farmers face and how you can be a part of the solution. Join the Coalition for Farmland Preservation to stay educated on urban farmland preservation through local policies, planning, and incentives and show farmers that you value their work by using your own voice to support those who feed our community.
Show up to town/city council meetings and urge policy makers to support local agriculture instead of warehouses and housing developments. Contact your local city mayor and council and/or Maricopa County Supervisors to express to them how critical farmland is to a healthy community, and to encourage them to develop strategies that preserve farmland.
5. Make the local choice (when you can)
We understand that shopping locally might not always be feasible, especially if you are on a budget. Supporting our local farmers and producers is attainable and accessible. Many farmers markets accept EBT/SNAP benefits, oftentimes doubling the amount you can spend through Double Up Food Bucks.
Also, look for local labels and purchase Arizona made products at your supermarket. Brands such as Shamrock Farms, Danzeisen Dairy, Duncan Family Farms, Rousseau Farms, Oatman Farms, and Hickman’s Eggs can be found in most supermarket shelves, as well as some store brand dairy that is locally produced (learn more here).
Shop in season! Did you know fresh produce at farmers markets can be cheaper than what you may find at the grocery store? Keep an eye out for what's in season and consider joining a CSA program through a local farm. Spending your money locally keeps the money flowing within our local economy and strengthening the food system that connects us to nature and our communities.
Another way to shop local on a budget is to create a local fund jar that enables you and the family to purchase a few items at a farm stand or farmers market or use the fund to enjoy a dinner at a locally owned restaurant!
Arizona offers a diverse and resilient food community, but it needs people like you to help advocate for keeping local food in our state. Set your intentions this year on adding more local food into your life. Whether it’s through sharing a meal at a local restaurant or volunteering at a farm, every bit counts and is important to keep our Arizona food community secure for future generations.